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8 wonderful wetlands

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Photo: Meghan McCarthy/ZUMA Press

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Wet and wild

From the Florida Everglades (shown here) to Botswana's Okavango Delta, wetlands are some of the most wildlife-rich places on Earth. Intrepid eco-tourists come to these often-buggy, perpetually moist lands to see everything from rare species of wading birds to prehistoric-sized reptiles.

While they are a paradise for birders and adventure-seekers, many wetlands lack the infrastructure that would make them heavily visited eco-tourism destinations. Sure, there will always be a steady stream of thrill-seekers wanting to see crocodiles or snakes, but, for the most part, these ecosystems remain havens for nature lovers and dedicated bird-watchers.

While they might not be high on many people's to-visit lists, some wetland destinations are easily accessible via boardwalk trails and boat tours. Getting to other, more remote destinations simply requires hopping on a bush plane and maybe even paddling through swampland in a dugout canoe. The amount of bug repellent that needs to be applied and the odds of getting mud-filled boots vary from wetland to wetland, but nearly all of these places are quiet, undervisited and ideal for nature viewing.

Wet and wild

From the Florida Everglades (shown here) to Botswana's Okavango Delta, wetlands are some of the most wildlife-rich places on Earth. Intrepid eco-tourists come to these often-buggy, perpetually moist lands to see everything from rare species of wading birds to prehistoric-sized reptiles.

While they are a paradise for birders and adventure-seekers, many wetlands lack the infrastructure that would make them heavily visited eco-tourism destinations. Sure, there will always be a steady stream of thrill-seekers wanting to see crocodiles or snakes, but, for the most part, these ecosystems remain havens for nature lovers and dedicated bird-watchers.

While they might not be high on many people's to-visit lists, some wetland destinations are easily accessible via boardwalk trails and boat tours. Getting to other, more remote destinations simply requires hopping on a bush plane and maybe even paddling through swampland in a dugout canoe. The amount of bug repellent that needs to be applied and the odds of getting mud-filled boots vary from wetland to wetland, but nearly all of these places are quiet, undervisited and ideal for nature viewing.